Another game-winner lifts Ohio State over Arizona, into Elite Eight

Mar. 29, 2013
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Ohio State Buckeyes guard Aaron Craft (4) shoots against Arizona Wildcats forward Grant Jerrett (33) and forward Kevin Parrom (3) during the second half of the semifinals of the West regional of the NCAA tournament. / Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports

Bryant, who has ended countless Lakers' victories with dramatic shots, couldn't have played the hero any better than Ross..

With the scored suddenly tied 70-70 in a game that Arizona controlled in the first half and Ohio State controlled in the second half, Buckeyes point guard Aaron Craft milked the clock, dribbling as the seconds wound down toward zero.

Then Craft, who hit a last-second three-pointer in Ohio State's last victory, went around a screen by Ross and, when Arizona failed to switch onto Ross, Craft delivered a bounce pass.

Ross, from the top of the key, several feet beyond the three-point arc, calmly drained a jumper with two seconds left. A desperation play from Arizona failed and Ohio State had advanced 73-70.

"This is what everybody grows up dreaming about â?? hitting that big shot to win it in the NCAA tournament or the NBA," Ross said.

He said he had no idea if dressing in Bryant's locker gave him superpowers.

"It just felt great," he said. "He's somebody I watch and try to model my game after."

His game was just what Ohio State needed down the stretch, as his three-pointer gave him 17 points, 14 in the second half. Deshaun Thomas led the Buckeyes with 20 points, and Craft was his usual all-over-the-court factor, scoring 13 with five rebounds, five assists and bulldog defense.

Seeds No. 1, 3, 4 and 5 had all been knocked out of the Wild, Wide-Open West, and it looked like No.2 was history, too, after 20 minutes.

But the Buckeyes, who trailed by as many as 11 points in the first half, played like a different team in the second half, seizing control with a 10-0 run to start the half.

"Guys were being selfish and not helping out in the first half," Thomas said. "We picked it up and got more aggressive in the second half."

Ohio State led by 10 nine minutes into the second half, but Arizona clawed back behind forward Solomon Hill (16 points) and, down the stretch, guard Mark Lyons, who led all scorers with 23.

Ohio State had the ball clinging to a three-point lead in the final minute when Craft missed a driving layup and Arizona got out on a fast break that ended with a Lyons layup and a foul. He hit the free throw to tie it 70-70 with 21 seconds left.

Then, Craft, the hero last time, found a different hero.

The Buckeyes (29-7) advance to a regional final for the second consecutive year. Last year, they made it to the Final Four, where they lost a semifinal to Kansas. On Saturday, they will face Wichita State, winners against LaSalle.

Ohio State guard Lenzelle Smith Jr., who was scoreless in the first half, scored the first four points of the second half, sparking a 10-0 run that gave the Buckeyes a 44-38 lead.

Arizona (27-8) went more than five minutes at the beginning of the second half without a point.

Ohio State, which holds its opponents on the average to less than 60 points, was hoping to play this game in the 50s or 60s, but the early pace favored Arizona.

Lyons hurt them outside and with drives, and the Wildcats were flexing their inside advantage, too, and Arizona was up by 11 â?? 31-20 â?? with seven minutes left.

If it weren't for Thomas' 16 first-half points, the Buckeyes would have been in serious trouble.